John W. Boushka

I can't make you do anything: I can only point to the truth!

Web Presence and Public Presence Statement

I do run several web sites, and I have authored three books since 1997. They deal with cutting edge social and political issues. They have also led me into considerable investigation of new legal and ethical issues surrounding the way individuals use the web, especially the publicity that can occur even under “free entry.” In 1998, I, as a member of Electronic Frontier Foundation, joined with several other plaintiffs in challenging the constitutionality of the Child Online Protection Act of 1998 (COPA).

A public presence can affect the effectiveness of an individual in certain kinds of jobs. This is much more of an issue today than it was a dozen or so years ago because search engines make it easy to find people. Since the beginning of 2006, there have been repeated media reports that employers regularly check social networking site profiles and personal blogs and sites of job applicants, as an indication of suitability for the job, possible conflicts of interest, or possible sources of perceptual problems among customers or clients.

The material in my books and websites does sometimes deal with personal matters and it presents them with some candor. Most of the material, however, is based on research into public policy issues and the references are heavily documented in the usual bibliographic fashion. My having my own voice means that I can pinpoint the policy changes that I support and not indirectly support other causes against my will, as often happens with most advocacy groups. This is a very important personal value for me.

In general, the jobs that I consider will normally be "individual technical contributor" jobs where I do not have direct reports and do not make my connection known with the employer known publicly (outside of corporate resume or referral lists), or, jobs where I promote or manage a service or product development where I have had a significant connection with the content development of the product or service.

Normally, I will not seek promotions “just to move up,” or (in a publicly conspicuous manner) sell products or services that I had no connection with, just to prove that I can “sell anything.” I am interested in selling content or service that I helped to develop.

Generally, I do not permit an outside entity to "manage" my "Internet presence". However in some situations, such as in accepting a job selling something that I participated in developing or in selling my own work in the literary or media markets, it may be necessary or prudent to change or remove some or all of this material. Doing so would only happen after a case-by-case evaluation of the circumstances and conflicts. It is not possible for me to anticipate all of these in advance. It is quite probable that my political activity through more conventional groups would be quite minimal after such an event.

On the other hand, it is my expectation that, for many positions, my identity or full name (as connected to the position) would not be known to the public at large or to external clients or stakeholders (outside of a specific client and staffing company; here I regard a "W-2" contract as non-public, and "corp to corp" as public if I were to be paid a salary while on the bench.)

Sometimes, employers will have "no outside income" (or "no moonlighting") rules. This is done, for example, by some insurance companies with new agents. Generally, such a rule will not be acceptable. However, and I want to emphasize this, I will always look at any perceived conflict of interest very carefully, according to the facts of a particular employment situation. I am very strict about this.

I respect all confidentiality requirements regarding employment, including normal business matters, customer information and trade secrets. I do not disclose current employers (hiring agencies or clients) in a public space without permission.